Professor Chris Thompson is the chief medical officer of The Priory, where the Scottish singer is being cared for.

He said: 'I cannot talk specifically about Susan Boyle but any admission to a psychiatric hospital for a matter of days is, in my opinion, a failed admission, because either it was unnecessary in the first place or the job hasn't been done fully.'

Cracking up: People reported that Susan Boyle was behaving strangely in the days before the Britain's Got Talent final including talking to her cat on a mobile phone

He stressed that the North London private clinic 'is not a rest home and it's not a spa. It is a psychiatric hospital'.

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'It implies there was a degree of personal risk. Secondarily that implies she did not want to come into hospital voluntarily.'

Under watch: Television crews camp outside the entrance to The Priory Hospital in north London, where Susan Boyle has been admitted

His comments cast doubt on producers' claims that Miss Boyle, who has learning difficulties, is simply in need of a long rest.

A record audience of 19million viewers watched as Miss Boyle's mental composure appear to disintegrate on air on the final show on Saturday.

Retail therapy: Show judge Amanda Holden, in New York on Monday, says Boyle just needs a break from the spotlight

After coming off camera, she had a heated row with the show's producers, then collapsed in her London hotel room.

Those looking after her panicked and called doctors and police.

When they arrived she had another tantrum. She was assessed under the Mental Health Act before being taken by ambulance with a police escort to The Priory.

It was claimed yesterday that Miss Boyle was behaving strangely in the days before the final. Irene Carter, 61, whose daughter is in dance troupe Sugar Free, said: 'Susan was acting very strangely all week. She is odd and is constantly talking to herself.

'One time she came up to my daughter Emma in the hotel and asked to borrow her mobile phone.

'When she got off the phone she said she had been talking to her cat back at home. Susan said she had to call Pebbles several times throughout the day or she would miss her. I really think she was cracking up.'

Industry regulator Ofcom could investigate whether ITV has breached its broadcasting code after viewers made a complaints over Miss Boyle's treatment.

The BBC reported only 20 of the 350 complaints received by Ofcom were regarding the treatment of Susan.

Ofcom said a majority of the complaints they received were regarding Friday's fifth semi-final.

Culture Secretary Andy Burnham called for review of the broadcasting code so that it can sufficiently protect vulnerable contestants.

Judge Amanda Holden stressed yesterday that Miss Boyle would have gone through rigorous psychological tests before she went on the show

She said: 'I think every possible box was ticked before she went into the auditions for our show.

'I think she needs a break from the spotlight, so she can relax and enjoy what's happening to her.'

Despite Professor Thompson's comments, Miss Boyle's family last night were confident she would be ready to come home very soon. Her brother said she would soon bounce back with the help of a 'cup of Scottish tea'.

A source at Sony revealed that member of Simon Cowell's team visited Miss Boyle at the Priory yesterday and made her an 'open offer' for a record deal.

The source said: 'Cowell has reassured her there is a record deal there for her if she wants it. If she doesn't want to do it that's fine. There's no pressure and no rush.'